A Devil Named DeVere (The Devil DeVere)(48)

"I'm not buying it, Vic."

"What?"

"Your dissuasion. I think there's more to it. You believe I'm poaching on your preserves, don't you?"

Ludovic scowled. "You know bloody well I have no intentions in that quarter, or any other for that matter."

"But of course," Hew said mildly. "For surely, if you had, you would have made some miniscule effort toward achieving that end in these past four years, instead of gallivanting among the heathens and collecting concubines."

"Hang you, Hew," he drawled. "This conversation has advanced beyond tedious to mind-numbing. Can we be done with it now?"

"Whatever you like, brother mine, but inheritance or no, I will be seeing Diana again."

***

"What is it, Winchester?" Lord DeVere demanded, his black mood having refused to lift ever since last evening's confrontation with Hew. Damn her for coming to town and disrupting his peace! And double-damn Hew for taking an interest in her. He'd spent nearly four years abroad, committing all manner of debauchery just to get her out of his system, and now this?

"My lord, there is a young and unattended female to see you. She is a most insistent creature."

"Is she, indeed?" He was immediately intrigued. Only lately, a pert Covent Garden actress had sought him out as a protector...only to subsequently marry his best friend. His smile dimmed. "What does this creature look like?"

"Very young, my lord," the majordomo said with a look of condemnation.

"Such censure from my own servant, Winchester?" DeVere laughed. "I'll be the judge. Pray bring the chit to me."

The girl preceded Winchester into the room in a swirl of black cloak, throwing back her hood to reveal burnished mahogany ringlets and a startlingly familiar face.

He rose from his chair with a start. "I'll be deuced if it isn't Annalee reborn!"

"Then you have a poor memory, my lord. Her eyes were brown. Mine are hazel. See?" She stepped closer with an impish smile.

DeVere felt the cloud about him instantly dissolve. He took her hand and bowed over it. "I stand corrected. Only Lady Vesta Chambers has such lovely hazel eyes."

"I feared you would not recognize me," Vesta said.

"You had best be much more concerned that no one else does." He scowled. "Where is your guardian? And what the devil do you mean coming alone to my house? No respectable young lady would be caught dead here."

Vesta looked bewildered. "Why ever not? You are my godfather, after all."

"But I have a rep—" He cleared his throat. "I have reasons, my dear." DeVere took up his quill and scratched a brief note before ringing for his servant. "Winchester," he commanded, "see this delivered at once to the Baroness Palmerston-Wriothesley at Upper Grosvenor, and then have my open chaise put to at once. The young lady and I will be taking a drive in Hyde Park."

"Not Hyde Park! Please, Uncle Vic," she pleaded, "anywhere else but there."

"Of course, my pet. London has many parks. Perhaps you would enjoy seeing the deer at Richmond Park? Even the road to Richmond is a scenic drive. The prospects from the new bridge and the hill are quite remarkable."

"Yes," Vesta said. "It sounds lovely."

"We shall go anywhere you like," he promised. He placed his fingers under her dainty chin and upturned her face to look into her deceptively guileless eyes, for he knew in his being that the girl was up to something. "And you will tell your godfather precisely what is troubling you."

***

Vesta climbed into the chaise with her godfather's assistance. "Might I drive?" she asked as he settled himself and took up the ribbons.

"I think not!" he replied.

"I do know how," she insisted.

He gave her a dark look. "You don't know London." His commanding tone laid the question to rest.

They departed the mews in fits and starts with DeVere expertly maneuvering through the mass of merchants' carts, hackneys, sedan chairs, and private coaches comprising London's daily traffic until reaching Richmond Road where they finally settled into an even pace. Vesta seemed lost in her thoughts for the longest time, rendering only halfhearted response to the sights he pointed out along the way. After several miles, he drew up before the new stone toll bridge spanning the Thames with its magnificent five arches. They sat for several minutes admiring the view of woods, water, softly swelling hills, and downs in the near distance as well as the towers and spires of Richmond Village across the river.

"This structure was erected only a few years ago," DeVere remarked. "I am told it is one of the recommended sights to see in London."

"Fascinating indeed," Vesta remarked drily.

"My sentiments exactly." Ludovic chuckled. "Since I am quite as bored as you are, shall we dispense with the drive in the park? Perhaps you will now tell me what it is that sent you to my door, Vesta?"

"Must I have a reason?" she shot back. "You are my godfather, after all."

He chuckled again, long and hard. "No, my dear, reasons are only for those beings with inferior understanding."

She brightened. "I just knew we would be of one accord."

"Did you now?" He grinned. "We have found but one topic in which we agree. Am I to believe there are others?"